Chapter 62
Eden
We don’t go to the packhouse. That would be suicide.
We go to the one place no one would ever look for us.
My old house.
The air is bitter outside, and the streets are quiet. The wind bites at my face as we walk through the neighborhood I used to know, it’s been forever since! Last saw it, but somehow, everything still looks the same. The small wooden houses. The leaning mailbox. The dent in the street lamp from when the neighbor crashed his bike into it during the sunumer festival,
The snow cranches under our boots. Avel walks beside me in his human form. Large hands in his coat pockets, head tilted slightly like he’s memorizing the layout. He’s scanning for threats, ever my protector.
When we reach the porch, I hesitate. The door is still locked. I dig the spare key out of the flowerpot and open it.
The moment step inside, the smell hits me.
Old alcohol. Stale air, Rotten fruit
The house is exactly how I let it. Maybe worse. Bottles litter the floor, couch cushions are stained, and the kitchen sink is overflowing with dishes that were never cleaned. I half–expect to see my mother inside, but then the memory of Marcus killing me unravels.
She is gone.
I walk into the living room and stare at the emptiness.
It’s quiet without her, Cold.
Like we never had a life here.
Axel steps in behind me, looking around slowly. His breath logs the air. “You lived here?”
Inod
He picks up a bottle, snits it, and makes a face. “Gods, Eden.”
I hug my arms around myself “She drank a lot. I used to lock myself up in my room. It was quieter there.”
There’s a silence. Then I feel Axel step closer. His hand brushes my shoulder, gentle. “I’m sorry.”
Iblink up at him.
His jaw tightens “For bullying you back then. I thought you were just a quiet omega. I didn’t know you had. This waiting for you at home.”
My chest tightens. “It doesn’t matter.”
He tits my chin up with his fingers. “It does to me”
I øvert my eyes. “Let’s just rest. We need our strength.”
He agrees, and we both head for the only bedroom that doesn’t reek of beer or whiskey. My old room. It still has the old twin bed, my tattered blanket, the bookshelf filled with dirty romance novels
We lie down on top of the blanket, fully clothed. No touching. Just sharing warmth. But I feel the tension in the space between us.
1/4
Chapter 62
We don’t say anything for a long time. Then I marmur, “Shouldn’t be the one challenging Logan
Al’s arm is under his head. He glances at me sideways, “You?”
“reali mean, he ruined my life. Jeld the entire pack I was worthless. Then became my friend and trained me, only to not be brave enough to stand up to his dumb father. He threw me in a cell. I should challenge him for Alpha,”
Avel props himself up on one elbow. He reaches over and gently squeezes my bicep or lack thereal “No offense, Eden, but there isn’t much going on here, and werewolf duels are about brawn.”
Ilaunch myself at him, straddling his chest. It takes some effort. His body is just so wide, my knees barely reach both sides of his torso. My fingers press against his chest, and I blink down at my hand. His pectoral muscle is literally bigger than my breast,
But he doesn’t fight back. Asel lets me pin his wrists, laughing under me. “Oh no, I’m doomed. A feral for omega is overpowering me.”
I narrow my eyes. “Say sorry”
He chuckles. “Sorry you have tiny biceps?”
I take growland tickle his ribs until he laughs harder.
“I’m going to murder you!”
“I would like to see you try.”
“Don’t think I can!”
“Maybe you ask for help”
“Oh my god, you’re dead!”
We laugh until the sound turns into breathless panting. Then I go quiet. Realizing I’m still straddling him, I slowly climb off and lie down beside him again.
A long silence. Then ask, “What happens to me if you win? If you become Alpha?”
He blinks. “You mean if I just take over the Valentine pack?”
Inod.
He doesn’t answer right away. Then he takes my hand.
“There’s another way,” he says softly. “You could be Alpha. I could challenge Logan as your champion. Your fighter.”
My eyes widen
Axel continues talking “That bond between us…it’s not just loyalty. You make me stronger, Eden. I think it‘ you lead the Valentine pack.”
I stare at him. I don’t know what scares me more–the thought of ruling a pack or how much want to
Or the fact that Axel would give it all to me
your fox You’re my Alpha. It’s only right that
The fire crackles quietly in the other room. But in this one, something else is burning Determination. If I become Alpha of the Valentine pack, I could throw Paris in a cell and see how she likes it. I could make Elvira my pet and force Logan to be my slave, but…I wouldn’t do that. I want to. Fucking hell, I
24
Chapter 62
do, but I should lead by example, right)
I have to become a better Alpha than Logan or Marcus EVER WAS.
Eventually, Idrift off. Axel’s breathing is soft beside me, his body warm,
fall into a dream.
Arriel.
He’s shackled, kneeling, chains of magic wrapped around his body like living vines. His wings are in chains, as spread and nailed to a stone wall. There’s blood everywhere.
Mara circles him slowly, her gown brushing the bloodstained floor.
“Where is
“All I need is the location. Just look for her with the help of the mate bond. Do it. Do it now!”
Ariel’s jaw is clenched, his violet eyes almost dead. But he doesn’t speak.
Mara laughs, tilting her head. “You still love her. That’s what makes this fun. Because you see… whatever I do to you… she feels.”
She walks behind him, fingers with their inhuman strength ghosting over the membrane of his wings.
“No,” Ariel gasps, body shaking. “Don’t-
Snap
A sound like thunder. Then screaming.
Hi
Min
I wake up shrieking.
Awol bolts upright “Eden?”
I’m clawing at my chest. The pain is everywhere. A phantom limb tparing through my soul.
“He’s dying,” I sob. “He’s…she tore his wing-
Axel pulls me into his arms, holding me tight as I scream into his shoulder, “Shhh. It’s okay. You’re safe. He’s strong, Eden.”
But i can’t stop shaking. Blood is coming from my nose, and there are bruises on my arms. My legs. Hell, I think there are marks on my back!
Axel sees the blood. His expression hardens
“I can’t keep doing nothing…I need to save him, Axel, but…” I whisper. “How are we supposed to save him from Mara? She has magic and an army
His voice is cold. Steady. Dark.
“We go to the Valentine pack tomorrow. I don’t know if we are strong enough, but we don’t have time.”
A tremor runs through me.
We’re not just running anymore.
We’re going to war.
3/4
